Endometriosis in Dubai: How It's Related to Chronic Pelvic Pain and Infertility

Know more about living with Endometriosis while in Dubai...

Posted on

28 December 2017

byGhassan Lotfi

Every one in ten women in the age of 13 to 55 might have Endometriosis. It is estimated that over 176 million women worldwide suffer from this disease.

Studies show that it might take up to nine years from the start of symptoms before a young woman with Endometriosis can be diagnosed. Although Endometriosis is so widely spread- 10% out of women in their reproductive age - it is not well understood, either by the public or even by the medical community.

So what is Endometriosis? Although there is still no definite proof for the causes of Endometriosis, it is considered to be a result of transfer of the menstrual blood during the women's periods through the Fallopian tubes to the pelvic space. Although this phenomena, so called "Retrograde Menstruation," happens naturally in over 90% of women, it is only this 10% that gets affected by this "immigration" of menstrual blood to the pelvic organs.

Symptoms of Endometriosis are mainly pain and infertility. However, there are several other symptoms that can be related to Endometriosis like:

Painful periods. This can happen with the very start of the menstrual function in the adolescent age, or can come later in life, and even after childbirth.

Pain during intercourse.

Excessive menstrual bleeding. This can be limited to the period time or can come in between the periods.

Pain during bowel motion.

Pain during urination.

Other symptoms like fatigue, diarrhea, bloating, nausea and constipation, especially during the menstrual period.

Endometriosis can be found in 40% of women suffering from infertility. This can be due to adhesions in the pelvis, ovarian cysts (so called "chocolate cysts"), or effect on the ovulation function and the quality of eggs to be fertilized.

Chronic pelvic pain does not necessarily result from Endometriosis. However, it is considered that up to 60% of women suffering from chronic pelvic pain (pain that lasts more than 6 months and does not respond well to pain medication) might have endometriosis.

Although endometriosis is a benign, chronic disease, there is more evidence in the literature showing a relationship between ovarian endometriosis and a certain group of ovarian cancer (the epithelial type of ovarian cancer).

As there is no cure for endometriosis, awareness about the symptoms and impact of the disease on a woman's life remains the milestone in adequate management of this disease.

As endometriosis is a chronic disease, in most of the cases it requires special expertise and a life-time medical management. Such management should be in special centres of care for endometriosis where a multidisciplinary approach from endoscopic advanced surgeons, infertility experts, colorectal surgeons and other relevant specialties are available.

What You Need To Know About Endometriosis:

Pain is not normal! always seek expert advice when pain is persistent.

Pregnancies and deliveries do not treat endometriosis and pelvic pain, and sometimes can make your symptoms worse.

There is no test to diagnose endometriosis, except for history, symptoms and imaging. Surgery only can give a definite answer if a woman has endometriosis.

Before consenting for surgery, ask your physician or surgeon if they have expertise in this field. Expert surgeons in endometriosis perform such surgeries on weekly basis and not randomly!

An expert in endometriosis will never hesitate to refer their patients for other special needs, like fertility management, bowel related conditions, neurological assessment, etc.

If you are not sure, you can communicate with us and we will always answer your questions and inquiries and give you advice.